Method of Loading a Droplet Actuator

ABSTRACT

A method of loading a droplet actuator is provided. In one embodiment, the method may include, providing: a droplet actuator loaded with a filler fluid; a reservoir comprising a droplet fluid; and a fluid path extending from the reservoir into the droplet actuator; and forcing filler fluid from one locus in the droplet actuator to another locus in the droplet actuator; or out of the droplet actuator; thereby causing droplet fluid to flow through the fluid path and into the droplet actuator.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

In addition to the patent applications cited herein, each of which isincorporated herein by reference, this application is a divisional ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/747,231, filed Aug. 25, 2010,entitled “Droplet Actuator Configurations and Methods”, the applicationof which is a national phase application of PCT/US2008/086186, filed onDec. 12, 2008, entitled “Droplet Actuator Configurations and Methods”,the application of which claims priority to: U.S. ProvisionalApplication Nos. 61/012,567, filed on Dec. 10, 2007, entitled “DropletActuator Loading by Displacement of Filler Fluid”; 61/014,128, filed onDec. 17, 2007, entitled “Electrode Configurations for a DropletActuator”; and 61/092,709, filed on Aug. 28, 2008, entitled “ElectrodeConfigurations for a Droplet Actuator;” the entire disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

GRANT INFORMATION

This invention was made with government support under GM072155-02 andDK066956-02, both awarded by the National Institutes of Health of theUnited States. The United States Government has certain rights in theinvention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to droplet actuators for conducting dropletoperations, such as droplet transport and droplet dispensing, and tomethods of loading and using such droplet actuators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Droplet actuators are used to conduct a wide variety of dropletoperations, such as droplet transport and droplet dispensing. A dropletactuator typically includes a substrate with electrodes arranged forconducting droplet operations on a droplet operations surface of thesubstrate. Electrodes may include droplet operations electrodes andreference electrodes. Droplets subjected to droplet operations on adroplet actuator may, for example, be reagents and/or droplet fluids forconducting assays. There is a need for improved functionality whenconducting droplet operations and for alternative approaches toconfiguring droplet actuators for conducting droplet operations.

There are various ways of loading reagents and droplet fluids intodroplet actuators. Problems with such methods include the risk ofintroducing air into the fluid and the inability to reliably handlesmall droplet fluid volumes. Because of these and other problems, thereis a need for alternative approaches to loading droplet fluids into adroplet actuator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a droplet actuator. In one embodiment, thedroplet actuator may include a substrate including, droplet operationselectrodes arranged for conducting droplet operations on a surface ofthe substrate; and reference electrodes associated with the dropletoperations electrodes and extending above the surface of the substrate.

In another embodiment the droplet actuator may include two substratesseparated to form a gap. Droplet operations electrodes may be associatedwith at least one of the substrates and arranged for conducting dropletoperations in the gap. Reference electrodes may be associated with atleast one of the substrates and extending into the gap.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a droplet actuatorincluding a substrate including droplet operations electrodes andreference electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations,wherein at least a subset of the reference electrodes is separated froma droplet operations surface by an insulator and/or dielectric material.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides a droplet actuatorincluding two substrates separated to form a gap; droplet operationselectrodes associated with at least one of the substrates and arrangedfor conducting droplet operations in the gap; and reference electrodes.The reference electrodes may be associated with at least one of thesubstrates; and separated from a droplet operations surface of thesubstrate by an insulator and/or a dielectric material.

Further, the invention provides a droplet actuator including asubstrate, which may have droplet operations electrodes configured forconducting one or more droplet operations; and reference electrodesinset into and/or between and/or interdigitated with one or more dropletoperations electrodes. A reference electrode may be inset into a dropletoperations electrode. A reference electrode may be inset between two ormore droplet operations electrodes. A reference electrode may beinterdigitated with a droplet operations electrode.

The invention provides droplet operations electrodes that arerotationally but not reflectively symmetrical. These electrodes may beformed into paths and/or arrays. These electrodes are interdigitated. Insome cases, these electrodes are not interdigitated. The rotationalsymmetry may in certain embodiments be X-fold, where X is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, or 10. The rotational symmetry may in certain embodiments beX-fold, where X is greater than 10. In some cases, adjacent electrodesare arranged such that no straight line can be drawn between twoadjacent electrodes without overlapping one or both of the two adjacentelectrodes. In some cases, adjacent electrodes are not interdigitatedbut are arranged such that no straight line can be drawn between twoadjacent electrodes without overlapping one or both of the two adjacentelectrodes.

The invention also provides a droplet actuator including an electrodehaving a shape that comprises a section of a rotationally but notreflectively symmetrical shape, the electrode having X-fold rotationalsymmetry, where X is 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more. A droplet actuator mayinclude a path or array including one or more of such electrodes.

The invention provides a droplet actuator including top and bottomsubstrates separated to form a gap, each substrate including electrodesconfigured for conducting droplet operations, the gap arranged toprovide a distance between the substrates sufficient to permitindependent droplet operations on a droplet operations surface of eachsubstrate. The top substrate may, in some embodiments, include anarrangement of electrodes that is substantially congruent with anarrangement of electrodes on the bottom substrate. The top substratemay, in some embodiments, include an arrangement of electrodes that issubstantially congruent with and in registration with an arrangement ofelectrodes on the bottom substrate. In some embodiments, the gap issufficiently wide that: one or more droplets having a footprint which isfrom about 1 to about 5 times the size of the footprint of a dropletoperations electrode can be subjected to droplet operations on thedroplet operations surface of the top substrate without contacting thedroplet operations surface of the bottom substrate; and one or moredroplets having a footprint which is from about 1 to about 5 times thesize of the footprint of a droplet operations electrode can be subjectedto droplet operations on the droplet operations surface of the bottomsubstrate without contacting the droplet operations surface of the topsubstrate.

The invention also provides a droplet actuator including: a firstsubstrate including droplet operations electrodes configured forconducting one or more droplet operations; a second substrate including:a conductive layer at least partially contiguous with two or more of thedroplet operations electrodes; and a perfluorophosphonate coatingoverlying at least a portion of the conductive layer. The firstsubstrate and the second substrate are separated to form a gap forconducting droplet operations mediated by the droplet operationselectrodes. The conductive layer may in some embodiments include indiumtin oxide or a substitute therefor.

The invention further provides a droplet actuator including: twosurfaces separated to form a gap; electrodes associated with one or moresurfaces and arranged for conducting one or more droplet operations; afiller fluid in the gap; a reservoir including a droplet fluid in thereservoir; a fluid path from the reservoir into the gap; and optionally,an filler fluid opening arranged for permitting fluid to exit the gapand/or exit one portion of the gap into another portion of the gap; apressure source configured to force dislocation of filler fluid in thegap and/or through the filler fluid opening and thereby force dropletfluid from the reservoir through the fluid path into the gap.

The pressure source may be configured such that the dislocation offiller fluid forces droplet fluid from the reservoir through the fluidpath into the gap into sufficient proximity with one or more of theelectrodes to enable one or more droplet operations to be mediated bythe one or more of the electrodes. The pressure source may include anegative pressure source and/or a positive pressure source. In somecases, multiple reservoirs are provided, each arranged to permit adroplet fluid to be loaded into the gap. The droplet operation may, forexample, include a droplet dispensing operation in which a droplet isdispensed from the droplet fluid.

The invention also provides a method of loading a droplet actuator, themethod including providing: a droplet actuator loaded with a fillerfluid; a reservoir including a droplet fluid; a fluid path extendingfrom the reservoir into the droplet actuator; forcing filler fluid: fromone locus in the droplet actuator to another locus in the dropletactuator; or out of the droplet actuator; thereby causing droplet fluidto flow through the fluid path and into the droplet actuator. Dropletfluid may be forced into sufficient proximity with one or moreelectrodes to enable one or more droplet operations to be mediated inthe droplet actuator by the one or more electrodes. Filler fluid may beforced using a negative and/or positive pressure source. In some cases,multiple droplet fluids are loaded from multiple reservoirs. The dropletoperation may, for example, include a droplet dispensing operation inwhich a droplet is dispensed from the droplet fluid.

The invention also provides a method of conducting a droplet operationon a droplet actuator, the method including: using a negative pressureto flow a source fluid into a droplet actuator gap into proximity with adroplet operations electrode; and using the droplet operations electrodealong with other droplet operations electrodes to conduct the dropletoperation. The droplet operation can include dispensing a droplet fromthe source fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a section of a droplet actuatorincluding a top substrate and a bottom substrate that are separated toform a gap therebetween, and including reference electrodes provided asexposed posts or pillars that protrude through insulator layer and intothe gap.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a section of droplet actuator that issubstantially the same as the droplet actuator shown in FIG. 1, exceptthat reference electrodes that protrude through the insulator layer arereplaced with reference electrodes that extend into but do not protrudethrough insulator layer.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a section of a droplet actuator thatincludes a top substrate and a bottom substrate that are arranged havinga gap therebetween, and including a reference electrode associated withthe top substrate atop which is provided an insulator layer.

FIG. 4A illustrates an electrode pattern for a droplet actuator,including electrodes which are substantially H-shaped, leaving gaps intop and bottom regions for reference electrodes.

FIG. 4B illustrates an electrode pattern in which electrodes are shapedto provide a gap between each adjacent pair of electrodes, and referenceelectrodes are inset between electrodes rather than inset intoelectrodes as shown in (FIG. 4A).

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E illustrate electrode patterns in which theelectrodes are overlapping, but not interdigitated, in order tofacilitate droplet overlap with adjacent electrodes.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a droplet actuator in which dropletsmay be subjected to droplet operations along both substrates (top andbottom).

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the loading opening isconnected to the reservoir by a narrow channel of width w, patterned inthe spacer material.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a side view and top view (not to scale),respectively, of a droplet actuator configured to make use of negativedisplacement of filler fluid for droplet fluid loading.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C illustrate a method of loading a droplet actuatorusing droplet fluid source and a negative pressure device.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the use of a negative pressure device ofloading assembly constituted by a threaded negative pressure openingwith a screw.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate FIG. 11A a negative pressure loadingimplementation similar to those described in FIGS. 8 and 9, except thatthe negative pressure opening and the negative pressure device of theloading assembly is replaced with a negative pressure opening thatincludes a septum and an absorbent material.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate side views of a droplet actuator that usesa capillary as a negative pressure opening.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a side view and top view, respectively, ofa droplet actuator with sealed vent holes.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

“Activate” with reference to one or more electrodes means effecting achange in the electrical state of the one or more electrodes which inthe presence of a droplet results in a droplet operation.

“Droplet” means a volume of liquid on a droplet actuator that is atleast partially bounded by filler fluid. For example, a droplet may becompletely surrounded by filler fluid or may be bounded by filler fluidand one or more surfaces of the droplet actuator. Droplets may, forexample, be aqueous or non-aqueous or may be mixtures or emulsionsincluding aqueous and non-aqueous components. Droplets may take a widevariety of shapes; nonlimiting examples include generally disc shaped,slug shaped, truncated sphere, ellipsoid, spherical, partiallycompressed sphere, hemispherical, ovoid, cylindrical, and various shapesformed during droplet operations, such as merging or splitting or formedas a result of contact of such shapes with one or more surfaces of adroplet actuator.

“Droplet Actuator” means a device for manipulating droplets. Forexamples of droplets, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,911,132, entitled “Apparatusfor Manipulating Droplets by Electrowetting-Based Techniques,” issued onJun. 28, 2005 to Pamula et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/343,284, entitled “Apparatuses and Methods for Manipulating Dropletson a Printed Circuit Board,” filed on filed on Jan. 30, 2006; U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,773,566, entitled “Electrostatic Actuators for Microfluidics andMethods for Using Same,” issued on Aug. 10, 2004 and 6,565,727, entitled“Actuators for Microfluidics Without Moving Parts,” issued on Jan. 24,2000, both to Shenderov et al.; Pollack et al., International PatentApplication No. PCT/US2006/047486, entitled “Droplet-BasedBiochemistry,” filed on Dec. 11, 2006, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference. Methods of the invention may beexecuted using droplet actuator systems, e.g., as described inInternational Patent Application No. PCT/US2007/009379, entitled“Droplet manipulation systems,” filed on May 9, 2007. In variousembodiments, the manipulation of droplets by a droplet actuator may beelectrode mediated, e.g., electrowetting mediated or dielectrophoresismediated.

“Droplet operation” means any manipulation of a droplet on a dropletactuator. A droplet operation may, for example, include: loading adroplet into the droplet actuator; dispensing one or more droplets froma source droplet; splitting, separating or dividing a droplet into twoor more droplets; transporting a droplet from one location to another inany direction; merging or combining two or more droplets into a singledroplet; diluting a droplet; mixing a droplet; agitating a droplet;deforming a droplet; retaining a droplet in position; incubating adroplet; heating a droplet; vaporizing a droplet; condensing a dropletfrom a vapor; cooling a droplet; disposing of a droplet; transporting adroplet out of a droplet actuator; other droplet operations describedherein; and/or any combination of the foregoing. The terms “merge,”“merging,” “combine,” “combining” and the like are used to describe thecreation of one droplet from two or more droplets. It should beunderstood that when such a term is used in reference to two or moredroplets, any combination of droplet operations sufficient to result inthe combination of the two or more droplets into one droplet may beused. For example, “merging droplet A with droplet B,” can be achievedby transporting droplet A into contact with a stationary droplet B,transporting droplet B into contact with a stationary droplet A, ortransporting droplets A and B into contact with each other. The terms“splitting,” “separating” and “dividing” are not intended to imply anyparticular outcome with respect to size of the resulting droplets (i.e.,the size of the resulting droplets can be the same or different) ornumber of resulting droplets (the number of resulting droplets may be 2,3, 4, 5 or more). The term “mixing” refers to droplet operations whichresult in more homogenous distribution of one or more components withina droplet. Examples of “loading” droplet operations includemicrodialysis loading, pressure assisted loading, robotic loading,passive loading, and pipette loading. In various embodiments, thedroplet operations may be electrode mediated, e.g., electrowettingmediated or dielectrophoresis mediated.

“Filler fluid” means a fluid associated with a droplet operationssubstrate of a droplet actuator, which fluid is sufficiently immisciblewith a droplet phase to render the droplet phase subject toelectrode-mediated droplet operations. The filler fluid may, forexample, be a low-viscosity oil, such as silicone oil. Other examples offiller fluids are provided in International Patent Application No.PCT/US2006/047486, entitled, “Droplet-Based Biochemistry,” filed on Dec.11, 2006; and in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2008/072604,entitled “Use of additives for enhancing droplet actuation,” filed onAug. 8, 2008.

The terms “top” and “bottom” are used throughout the description withreference to the top and bottom substrates of the droplet actuator forconvenience only, since the droplet actuator is functional regardless ofits position in space.

When a liquid in any form (e.g., a droplet or a continuous body, whethermoving or stationary) is described as being “on”, “at”, or “over” anelectrode, array, matrix or surface, such liquid could be either indirect contact with the electrode/array/matrix/surface, or could be incontact with one or more layers or films that are interposed between theliquid and the electrode/array/matrix/surface.

When a droplet is described as being “on” or “loaded on” a dropletactuator, it should be understood that the droplet is arranged on thedroplet actuator in a manner which facilitates using the dropletactuator to conduct one or more droplet operations on the droplet, thedroplet is arranged on the droplet actuator in a manner whichfacilitates sensing of a property of or a signal from the droplet,and/or the droplet has been subjected to a droplet operation on thedroplet actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides modified droplet actuators, as well as methods ofmaking and using such droplet actuators. Among other things, the dropletactuators and methods of the invention provide improved functionalitywhen conducting droplet operations and alternative approaches toconfiguring droplet actuators for conducting droplet operations. Theinvention also provides improved loading configurations for dropletactuators, as well as improved methods of loading droplet actuators, andreliable handling small droplet fluid volumes.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a section of droplet actuator 100.Droplet actuator 100 includes a top substrate 110 and a bottom substrate120 that are separated to form a gap 124 therebetween. The top substratemay or may not be present. A set of droplet operations electrodes 128,e.g., electrodes 128 a, 128 b, and 128 c, are associated with bottomsubstrate 120. In one embodiment, the droplet operations electrodescomprise electrowetting electrodes. An insulator layer 132 is providedatop bottom substrate 120 and electrodes 128. Insulator layer 132 may beformed of any dielectric material, such as polyimide. Additionally, aset of reference electrodes 136 (e.g., reference electrodes 136 a, 136b, and 136 c) are arranged between electrodes 128, as shown in FIG. 1. Ahydrophobic layer (not shown) may be disposed atop insulator layer 132.

Reference electrodes 136 are provided as exposed posts or pillars thatprotrude through insulator layer 132 and into gap 124 where thereference electrodes may contact the droplet 140. The function of thereference electrodes 136 is to bias droplet 140 at the ground potentialor another reference potential. The reference potential may, forexample, be a ground potential, a nominal potential, or anotherpotential that is different than the actuation potential applied to thedroplet operations electrodes. In a related embodiment, the tops ofreference electrodes 136 are substantially flush the insulator layer132. In another related embodiment, the tops of reference electrodes 136are substantially flush with the hydrophobic layer (not shown). In yetanother related embodiment, the tops of reference electrodes 136 aresubstantially flush with insulator layer 132, and the hydrophobic layer(not shown) overlies the tops of reference electrodes 136. Further, inanother related embodiment, the tops of reference electrodes 136 liewithin insulator layer 132 but below a top surface of insulator layer132, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a section of droplet actuator 200.Droplet actuator 200 is substantially the same as droplet actuator 100of FIG. 1, except that reference electrodes 136 of droplet actuator 100that protrude through insulator layer 132 are replaced with referenceelectrodes 210 (e.g., reference electrodes 210 a, 210 b, and 210 c) thatextend into but do not protrude through insulator layer 132. Theinventors have unexpectedly found that droplet operations can beconducted using insulated reference electrodes by inducing a voltage inthe droplet (e.g., by fringing fields). Using insulated referenceelectrodes has the advantage that the device is easier to manufacture(e.g., no patterning of the insulator layer 132 is required).

In one embodiment of FIG. 2, the top substrate 110 may include aconductive coating (not shown) over some portion or all of the surfaceexposed to the droplet actuator. An example of such a conductive coatingis indium tin oxide (ITO). The conductive coating may be electricallyconnected to reference electrode 210 through a resistor or a capacitor.The capacitor may be formed between the conductive coating and referenceelectrode 210 (serving as the plates of the capacitor) with theinsulator layer 132 and as the gap 124 serving as a compositedielectric. In one embodiment, portions of the reference electrode 210are not covered with the insulator 132. In another embodiment, portionsof the reference electrode 210 are not covered with the insulator 132and protrude through the substrate as shown in FIG. 1. In yet anotherembodiment, the insulated reference electrodes may be provided on thetop substrate 110, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a section of droplet actuator 300.Droplet actuator 300 includes a top substrate 310 and a bottom substrate320 that are arranged having a gap 324 therebetween. A set of electrodes328 (e.g., electrodes 328 a, 328 b, and 328 c) are associated withbottom substrate 320. An insulator layer 332 is provided atop bottomsubstrate 320 and electrodes 328. Additionally, a reference electrode336 is associated with top substrate 310 atop which is provided aninsulator layer 340. Insulator layers 332 and 340 may be formed of anydielectric material, such as polyimide. A hydrophobic coating (notshown) may be disposed on the surface of the insulator exposed to thegap. In certain embodiments the thickness of insulator 332 is largerthan the thickness of insulator 340 by for example a factor of 2, 3, 4,5, 10, 25, 50, 100. The factor need not be an integer and can befractions. The larger the factor the lower the voltage required fordroplet operations. Embodiments shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 can also becombined to result in a device with reference electrodes on bothsubstrates. The reference elements may be electrically connected to eachother through a resistor or a capacitor. The capacitor may be formedbetween the two reference electrodes (serving as the plates of thecapacitor) with the insulator layer 332 and as the gap 324 serving as acomposite dielectric.

As noted with respect to droplet actuator 200 of FIG. 2, the inventorshave unexpectedly found that droplet operations can be conducted usinginsulated reference electrodes by inducing a voltage in the droplet.

In one embodiment, the dielectric material is a hydrophobic material.For example, fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP; available from DuPontas Teflon® FEP) is a suitable hydrophobic material. The hydrophobicmaterial may, in some embodiments, serve as both the dielectric and thehydrophobic coating. This embodiment improves ease of manufacture, sincean additional hydrophobic coating is not required. In a relatedembodiment, the dielectric material includes a laminated film. FEP alsoserves as an example of a laminated film. Using a film dielectric whichis hydrophobic facilitates use perfluorinated solvents as filler fluids.Perfluorinated solvents are ideal filler fluids for many applications,since they are immiscible with both aqueous and organic liquids. Thus,aqueous and organic droplets can be subjected to droplet operations insuch an environment.

Thus, the invention also provides a method of conducting a dropletoperation on an organic droplet in a droplet actuator loaded withperfluorinated solvent as a filler fluid. For example, the methodprovides for dispensing one or more organic droplets from a sourceorganic droplet; splitting, separating or dividing an organic dropletinto two or more organic droplets; transporting an organic droplet fromone location to another in any direction; merging or combining two ormore organic droplets into a single droplet; diluting an organicdroplet; mixing an organic droplet; agitating an organic droplet;deforming an organic droplet; retaining an organic droplet in position;incubating an organic droplet; heating an organic droplet; vaporizing anorganic droplet; condensing an organic droplet from a vapor; cooling anorganic droplet; disposing of an organic droplet; transporting anorganic droplet out of a droplet actuator; other droplet operationsdescribed herein; and/or any combination of the foregoing; in each caseon a droplet actuator in which the droplet operations surface is coatedwith, in contact with or flooded with a perfluorinated solvent. Theforegoing operations are suitably conducted on a droplet operationssurface that is composed of or is coated with a hydrophobicperfluorinated solvent-tolerant coating, such as FEP.

FIG. 4A illustrates an electrode pattern 400 for a droplet actuator (notshown). Droplet actuator 400 includes a set of electrodes 410.Electrodes 410 are substantially H-shaped, leaving gaps in top andbottom regions for references electrodes 414. Reference electrodes 414are inset into the gaps in electrodes 410. As shown, gaps are providedon two sides of electrodes 410; however in some embodiments, gaps may beprovided on only one side or on more than two sides. Further, theillustrated electrodes show single gaps with single reference electrodesinset therein; however, it will be appreciated that multiple gaps may beprovided, and in some embodiments, the electrode 410 and the referenceelectrode 414 may be substantially interdigitated. Electrodes 410 may beused to conduct one or more droplet operations.

Reference electrodes 414 may be exposed to the gap, and in some cases,they may protrude into the gap, e.g., as described with reference toreference electrodes 136 of FIG. 1 or they may be insulated, e.g., asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. One or more insulated wires418 provide an electrical connection to reference electrodes 414. FIG.4A shows a droplet 420 that is being manipulated along electrodes 410using reference electrodes 414.

In one embodiment, the top or bottom substrate may include a conductivecoating over some portion or all of the surface exposed to the dropletactuator. An example of such a conductive coating is indium tin oxide(ITO). The conductive coating may itself be coated with a hydrophobiclayer. A variety of materials are suitable for coating the conductivelayer to provide a hydrophobic surface. One example is a class ofcompounds known as perfluorophosphonates. Perfluorophosphonates may beuseful for establishing a hydrophobic layer over a conductive layer,such as a metal. In one embodiment, a perfluorophosphonate is used toform a substantial monolayer over the conductive layer.

For example, a droplet actuator may include a metal conducting layercoated with a perfluorophosphonate exposed to a region in which dropletsare subjected to droplet operations. Similarly, a droplet actuator mayinclude a metal conducting layer coated with a perfluorophosphonatemonolayer exposed to a region in which droplets are subjected to dropletoperations. The perfluorophosphonate may be deposited on the conductinglayer in an amount which facilitates the conducting of dropletoperations. The perfluorophosphonate layer may reduce fouling duringdroplet operations relative to fouling that would occur in the absenceof the phosphonate or perfluorophosphonate coating. The conducting layermay, in some embodiments, include ITO.

As another example, a droplet actuator comprising two substratesseparated to form a gap, each substrate comprising electrodes configuredfor conducting droplet operations, may include ITO on a top substratecoated with a perfluorophosphonate.

A suitable perfluorophosphonate for use in accordance with the inventionis 1-phosphonoheptadecafluorooctane (CF₃(CF₂)₇PO₃H₂). This material canbe synthesized using known methods starting with1-bromoheptadecafluorooctane (CF₃(CF₂)₇Br). Similar molecules of varyinglengths can be synthesized using well-known techniques starting withknown precursors.

FIG. 4B illustrates an electrode pattern 450 for a droplet actuator (notshown). Droplet actuator 450 is substantially the same as dropletactuator 400 of FIG. 4A, except that the geometries of electrodes 410and the inset reference electrodes 414 differ from the electrodegeometries illustrated in FIG. 4A. Electrodes 410 in FIG. 4B are shapedto provide a gap between each adjacent pair of electrodes 410.Electrodes 414 are inset between electrodes 410 rather than inset intoelectrodes 410.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1A, reference electrodes 414in FIG. 4B may also be exposed to the gap, and in some cases, they mayprotrude into the gap, e.g., as described with reference to referenceelectrodes 136 of FIG. 1 or they may be insulated, e.g., as describedwith reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. One or more insulated wires 418 providean electrical connection to reference electrodes 414. FIG. 4B shows adroplet 420 that is being manipulated along electrodes 410 usingreference electrodes 414. Electrodes 410 may be used to conduct one ormore droplet operations.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E illustrate electrode patterns 510, 520, 530,540, and 550, respectively, which are yet other nonlimiting examples ofelectrode configurations of the invention. Electrode patterns 510, 520,530, 540, and 550 illustrate configurations in which the electrodes areoverlapping, but not interdigitated, in order to facilitate dropletoverlap with adjacent electrodes. These electrode patterns can becombined with reference electrodes that are also inset into and/orbetween and/or interdigitated with the electrodes, e.g., as describedwith reference to FIG. 4. The illustrated overlapping electrodes exhibitrotational symmetry. The examples illustrated in FIG. 5 show four-foldrotational symmetry, but it will be appreciated that the overlappingelectrodes may exhibit a rotational symmetry which is X-fold, where X is3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or greater. Further, a droplet actuator maycombine electrodes with different X-fold rotational symmetries.

Electrodes with rotational symmetry are preferred for overlappingelectrodes, since the symmetry causes the droplets to be centered overthe electrode. Further, the droplet shape will also have rotationalsymmetry, which permits overlap with adjacent electrodes or referenceelements in all directions. In some embodiments, one or more of theelectrodes have rotational symmetry but not reflection symmetry. Inanother embodiment, one or more of the electrodes have rotationalsymmetry and reflection symmetry, where the rotational symmetry isX-fold, and X is 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more. In a further embodiment, therotationally symmetrical overlapping electrodes are arranged such thatno straight line can be drawn between two adjacent electrodes withoutoverlapping one or both of the two adjacent electrodes. The inventionalso includes electrodes that are sections of rotationally symmetricalshapes, such as a quarter or half of a rotationally symmetrical shape.In some embodiments, the sections are characterized in that the linescreating the sections generally intersect the center point of therotationally symmetrical shape, i.e., like slices of a pie. In stillanother embodiment, the overlapping regions of adjacent rotationallysymmetrical electrodes generally fit together like pieces of a puzzleexcept that each point along adjacent edges of adjacent electrodes isseparated by a gap from a corresponding point on the other of theadjacent electrodes.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a droplet actuator 600. Dropletactuator 600 includes a top substrate 610 and a bottom substrate 614that are arranged in a generally parallel fashion. Top substrate 610 andbottom substrate 614 are separated to provide a gap 618 therebetween.Both top substrate 610 and bottom substrate 614 include a set ofelectrodes 622, e.g., droplet operations electrodes. In the embodimentshown, both substrates include an insulator layer 626 associatedtherewith, which forms a droplet operations surface 627. Insulatorlayers 626 may be formed of any dielectric material, such as polyimide.Reference electrodes are not shown. A hydrophobic coating (not shown)may also be present.

In one embodiment, droplet operations electrodes 622 include at least asubset of electrodes 622 associated with top substrate 610 which aresubstantially congruent (having substantially the same size and shape)with and/or in registration (being substantially aligned on oppositeplates) with a subset of electrodes 622 associated with bottom substrate614 (e.g., a perpendicular line passing through the center-point of anelectrode 622 on the bottom substrate 614 would approximately passthrough the center point of a corresponding electrode 622 on the topsubstrate 610).

In one embodiment, gap 618 is sufficiently wide that: (a) one or moredroplets 630 having a footprint which is from about 1 to about 5 timesthe size of the footprint of a droplet operations electrode 622 can besubjected to droplet operations on surface 627 of top substrate 610without contacting surface 627 of bottom substrate 614; and (b) one ormore droplets 634 having a footprint which is from about 1 to about 5times the size of the footprint of a droplet operations electrode 622can be subjected to droplet operations on surface 627 of bottomsubstrate 614 without contacting surface 627 of top substrate 610.

In this embodiment, droplets may be subjected to droplet operationsalong both substrates (top and bottom). In one embodiment, droplets maybe merged by bringing a droplet on one surface into contact with adroplet on the other surface.

Droplet actuator cartridges of the invention may in various embodimentsinclude fluidic inputs, on-chip reservoirs, droplet generation units anddroplet pathways for transport, mixing, and incubation.

The fluidic input port provides an interface between the exterior andinterior of the droplet actuator. The design of the fluidic input portis challenging due to the discrepancy in the scales of real worldsamples (microliters-milliliters) and the lab-on-a-chip(sub-microliter). If oil is used as the filler fluid in the dropletactuator gap, there is also the possibility of introducing air bubblesduring liquid injection. The dimensions of the fluidic input may beselected to ensure that the liquid is stable in the reservoirs and doesnot spontaneously flow back to the loading port after loading. Theentrapment of air as bubbles in the filler fluid should be completelyavoided or minimized during the loading process.

In some embodiments the fluidic input port is designed for manualloading of the reservoirs using a pipette through a substrate of thedroplet actuator. The sample (or reagent) may, for example, be injectedinto the reservoir through a loading opening in the top substrate. Theopening may, for example, be configured to fit a small volume (<2 μL)pipette tip.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the loading opening isconnected to the reservoir by a narrow channel of width w, patterned inthe spacer material. The liquid pressure in the reservoir is on theorder of γ(1/R+1/H) where R is the radius of the reservoir, H is theheight of the reservoir and γ is the interfacial tension of the liquidwith the surrounding media. Since R is typically much greater than h thepressure can be approximated as γ/H. The pressure in the channelconnecting the loading port and the reservoir is γ(1/w+1/H). If w is onthe order of H then the pressure in the channel is 2γ/H which is twicethe pressure in the reservoir. Therefore by choosing w to be close to Hthe liquid is forced to remain in the reservoir and not spontaneouslyflow back into the loading opening. This pressure difference isinitially overcome by the positive displacement pipetting action, tofill the reservoir with the liquid.

FIG. 7 also illustrates steps for dispensing a droplet. In the specificembodiment illustrated, droplet dispensing from an on-chip reservoiroccurs in the following steps. In Step A, the reservoir electrode isactivated. In Step B, a liquid column is extruded from the reservoir byactivating a series of electrodes adjacent to it. Once the columnoverlaps the electrode on which the droplet is to be formed. In Step C,all the remaining electrodes are deactivated to form a neck in thecolumn. In Step D, simultaneously or subsequently to Step C, thereservoir electrode is activated to pull the liquid back causing theneck to break completely and form a droplet.

Though simple in principle, the reliability and repeatability of thedispensing process is affected by several design and experimentalparameters. The design parameters include the reservoir shape and size,shape and size of the pull-back electrode, size of the unit electrode(and correspondingly the unit droplet) and the spacer thickness. In oneembodiment, the design parameters may be established as follows: Theelectrode size may be fixed, e.g., at about 500 μm, and most of theother design parameters were chosen using this as the starting point.Droplet dispensing for a water-silicone oil system may be suitablyconducted using a droplet aspect ratio (diameter/height) greater than 5and a water-air system may be suitably conducted using a an aspect ratiogreater than 10. Thus, given an approximately 500 μm electrode size, thespacer thickness may be about 100 μm for a nominal droplet diameter of500 μm. For this electrode size and spacer thickness combination theunit droplet volume is expected to be between about 25 and 50 nL. Largeraspect ratios caused droplets to split easily even while transporting.As a rule of thumb, an aspect ratio between about 4 and about 6 is mostoptimal for droplet transport, dispensing and splitting for anelectrowetting system in silicone oil.

The reservoir size is essentially determined by the smallestpipette-loadable volume on the lower end and chip real-estate concernson the higher end. In theory, the reservoirs could be made as large aspossible and always filled with a smaller quantity of liquid as needed.In some embodiments, reservoir capacities may vary from about 500 toabout 1500 nL.

A tapering pull-back electrode (wider at the dispensing end) may beemployed in some embodiments to ensure that the liquid stays at thedispensing end of the reservoir as the reservoir is depleted.

In addition to the design parameters discussed above there areadditional experimental factors which affect dispensing, and theseinclude the volume of liquid in the reservoir, the length of theextruded liquid column and the voltage applied. It is generally observedthat the volume variation is much higher for the last few dropletsgenerated from a reservoir i.e. when the reservoir is close to beingempty. The length of the extruded column also determines the volume of aunit droplet. During the necking process the liquid in the extrudedcolumn drains with half the volume going towards the reservoir andanother half towards the droplet. Therefore the longer the extrudedfinger the larger the droplet volume. The volume variation is alsolarger when the droplet is formed farther away from the reservoir. Theextruded liquid column also determines the minimum unusable dead volumein the reservoir.

The invention provides droplet actuators and associated systemsconfigured for loading one or more droplet fluids by displacement offiller fluid. The invention also provides methods of making and usingsuch droplet actuators.

In some cases, the droplet fluid loading approach of the inventionrelies on displacement of filler fluid in order to move a droplet fluidfrom a locus which is exterior to the gap to a locus which is inside thegap and/or from one portion of the gap to another. In one embodiment,the droplet fluid loading operation moves a droplet fluid from aposition in which the droplet is not subject to droplet operations to alocus in which the fluid is subject to droplet operations. For example,a droplet fluid loading operation of the invention may be employed tomove a droplet fluid from a locus in which the droplet fluid is notsubject to electrode-mediated droplet operations into a locus in whichthe droplet fluid is subject to electrode-mediated droplet operations.In a specific example, an aliquot of droplet fluid may be transportedinto proximity with electrodes configured to dispense droplets of thedroplet fluid, and the electrode arrangement may be used to dispensesuch droplets and may further be used to transport such droplets todownstream droplet operations, e.g. for conducting an assay.

Various droplet fluid loading purchase of the invention work well forany droplet fluid volume, including small droplet fluid volumes; reduce,preferably entirely eliminate, the possibility of introducing air intothe droplet actuator during loading; and reduce, preferably entirelyeliminate, dead volume of droplet fluid.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a side view and top view (not to scale),respectively, of a droplet actuator 800. Droplet actuator 800 isconfigured to make use of negative displacement of filler fluid fordroplet fluid loading. Droplet actuator 800 includes a top substrate 810and a bottom substrate 814 arranged to provide a gap for conductingdroplet operations. A reservoir electrode 818 and a set of electrodes822 (e.g., droplet operations electrodes) are provided in associationwith bottom substrate 814. The gap between top substrate 810 and abottom substrate 814 is filled with a volume of filler fluid 824.

A loading assembly 826 is provided atop top substrate 810, asillustrated in FIG. 8A. It will be appreciated that top substrate 810and loading assembly 826 (as well as other loading assemblies describedherein) may be a single structure comprising some or all elements of topsubstrate 810 and loading assembly 826.

Loading assembly 826 includes a droplet fluid reservoir 830 thatsubstantially aligns with an inlet opening 825 of top substrate 810.Droplet fluid reservoir 830 is configured to receive a volume of dropletfluid (not shown), which is to be loaded into the gap of dropletactuator 800. Loading assembly 826 may also include a negative pressureopening 834 that substantially aligns with an outlet opening of topsubstrate 810. Negative pressure opening 834 is configured to receive avolume of filler fluid 824 that is displaced during loading of thedroplet fluid.

FIG. 8B illustrates gasket 838 arranged to direct droplet fluid (notshown) from droplet fluid reservoir 830 toward reservoir electrode 818during a fluid loading operation. Reservoir 830 is located a certaindistance from reservoir electrode 818 in order to hinder or restraindroplet fluid (not shown) from retreating back into droplet fluidreservoir 830 once loaded into droplet actuator 800. Additional aspectsof droplet actuator 800 in use are described with reference to FIGS. 9A,9B, and 9C.

FIG. 9A illustrates a side view of droplet actuator 900 (not to size)with droplet fluid reservoir 930 being loaded with droplet fluid. Adroplet fluid source 950, such as a pipette or syringe, may be used todeposit a volume of droplet fluid 954 into droplet fluid reservoir 930.A negative pressure device 958 (not to size), such as, but not limitedto, a syringe, pipette, or pump, may be securely fitted to negativepressure opening 934. The size of negative pressure opening 934 may beselected to couple the opening to a negative pressure device 958, e.g.,the tip of a pipette, syringe, or other negative pressure device orcoupling for a negative pressure device, such as a capillary tube.Initially, negative pressure device 958 is in a state of applying littleor no significant negative pressure to filler fluid 924, as illustratedin FIG. 9A, and droplet fluid 954 is retained in droplet fluid reservoir930.

FIG. 9B illustrates a side view of droplet actuator 900 during a dropletfluid loading operation using negative pressure device 958. Negativepressure is applied to filler fluid 924 using negative pressure device958. Droplet fluid 954 flows from droplet fluid reservoir 930 throughopening 925 (shown in FIG. 9A), into droplet actuator 900, and towardreservoir electrode 918. The negative pressure device forces a volume offiller fluid 924 out of the gap, and the displaced filler fluid isreplaced by a volume of droplet fluid 954. This action continues until adesired volume of droplet fluid 954 is drawn into sufficient proximitywith reservoir electrode 918 to permit reservoir electrode 918 to beused to conduct one or more electrode-mediated droplet operations. Asillustrated in FIG. 9C, reservoir electrode 918 may be activated toinduce loaded fluid to move into a locus which is generally atop thereservoir electrode 918.

FIG. 9C illustrates a side view of droplet actuator 900 following thedroplet fluid loading operation. A slug of droplet fluid 954 ispositioned atop reservoir electrode 918. A volume of filler fluid 924has been removed from the gap due to the action of negative pressuredevice 958.

FIG. 10A illustrates a side view (not to scale) of a droplet actuator1000 that makes use of negative displacement for droplet fluid loading.Droplet actuator 1000 is substantially the same as droplet actuator 1000that is described in FIG. 8, except that the negative pressure openingand the negative pressure device of loading assembly 1026 is constitutedby a threaded negative pressure opening 1010 that has a screw 1014therein. The action of backing screw 1014 out of threaded negativepressure opening 1010 creates negative pressure (i.e., vacuum pressure).FIG. 10A illustrates screw 1014 substantially fully engaged withinthreaded negative pressure opening 1010 and a volume of droplet fluid1054 present in droplet fluid reservoir 1030. Screw 1014 may be backedout of threaded negative pressure opening 1010 to force a volume offiller fluid 1024 out of the gap. The displaced filler fluid 1024 isreplaced by droplet fluid 1054 as it is drawn into droplet actuator1000.

FIG. 10B illustrates a side view of droplet actuator 1000 with thedroplet fluid loading operation complete. More specifically, FIG. 10Billustrates a slug of droplet fluid 1054 atop reservoir electrode 1018and a volume of filler fluid 1024 that is present within threadednegative pressure opening 1010 due to the action of backing out screw1014, which creates a negative pressure (i.e., vacuum pressure).

Referring again to FIG. 8, loading assembly 1026, which may include anyof the active negative pressure mechanisms, may be permanently attachedto the droplet actuator or, alternatively, may be attached to thedroplet actuator during droplet fluid loading only and then removed.

FIG. 11A illustrates a side view (not to scale) of a droplet actuator1100. Droplet actuator 1100 is substantially the same as the dropletactuator that is described in FIGS. 8 and 9, except that the negativepressure opening and the negative pressure device of loading assembly1126 is replaced with a negative pressure opening 1110 that has a septum1114 therein. Septum 1114 is configured to seal negative pressureopening 1110 and is formed of a material that is suitable for sealing,that is resistant to the filler fluid, and that may be easily punctured.For example, septum 1114 may be formed of any rubbery material, such aselastomer material. Atop septum 1114 is an absorbent material 1118,which may be any material that is suitable for absorbing filler fluid1124 and that may be easily punctured. For example, absorbent material1118 may be a sponge material or foam material.

In operation, a volume of droplet fluid 1154 is deposited into dropletfluid reservoir 1130, as illustrated in FIG. 11A. Subsequently, septum1114 and absorbent material 1118 are punctured in a manner to form acapillary 1122 between filler fluid 1124 in the gap of droplet actuator1100 and absorbent material 1118, as illustrated in FIG. 11B. In thisway, due to negative pressure created by capillary 1122, which isdisplacing filler fluid 1124 into absorbent material 1118, droplet fluid1154 displaces filler fluid 1124 as it is pulled into sufficientproximity with reservoir electrode 1118 such that reservoir electrode1118 may be employed to conduct one or more droplet operations usingdroplet fluid 1154.

FIG. 11B illustrates a side view of droplet actuator 1100 with thedroplet fluid loading operation complete. More specifically, FIG. 11Billustrates a slug of droplet fluid 1154 atop reservoir electrode 1118and a volume of filler fluid 1124 that is present within capillary 1122and absorbent material 1118 due to the creation of negative pressurewhen septum 1114 and absorbent material 1118 are punctured.

Referring again to FIG. 11B, droplet fluid reservoir 1130 has a diameterD, the gap of droplet actuator 1100 has a height h, and capillary 1122has a diameter d. In order to create the desired pressure differentialsalong droplet actuator 1100 that best encourages fluid flow from dropletfluid reservoir 1130 to capillary 1122, D>h>d.

FIG. 12A illustrates a side view (not to scale) of a droplet actuator1200. Droplet actuator 1200 makes use of a passive method of fillerfluid displacement for droplet fluid loading. Droplet actuator 1200 issubstantially the same as the droplet actuator that is described inFIGS. 8 and 9, except that the negative pressure opening of loadingassembly 1226 that has the negative pressure device installed therein isreplaced with a capillary 1210 and no mechanism installed therein.

Additionally, droplet fluid reservoir 1230 has a diameter D, the gap ofdroplet actuator 1200 has a height h, and capillary 1210 has a diameterd. In order to create the desired pressure differentials along dropletactuator 1200 that promote fluid flow by capillary forces from dropletfluid reservoir 1230 into capillary 1210, D>h>d.

The capillary 1210 is sealed using tape for example (not shown) beforefluid loading and air is trapped within the capillary. In operation,when a volume of droplet fluid 1254 is loaded into droplet fluidreservoir 1230, and the seal is removed, the capillary action ofcapillary 1210 pulls filler fluid 1224 therein and creates a negativepressure that allows a slug of droplet fluid 1254 to move into dropletactuator 1200 and displace filler fluid 1224.

FIG. 12B illustrates a side view of droplet actuator 1200 with thedroplet fluid loading operation complete. More specifically, FIG. 12Billustrates a slug of droplet fluid 1254 atop reservoir electrode 1218and a volume of filler fluid 1224 that is present within capillary 1210due to the creation of negative pressure via capillary 1210.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a side view and top view (not to scale),respectively, of a droplet actuator 1300. Droplet actuator 1300 isformed of a top substrate 1310 and a bottom substrate 1314, with a gaptherebetween. A reservoir electrode 1318 and a set of electrodes 1322(e.g., droplet operations electrodes) are provided on bottom substrate1314. The gap between top substrate 1310 and bottom substrate 1314 isfilled with a volume of filler fluid 1326. Additionally, top substrate1310 includes a fluid reservoir 1330 that substantially aligns with aninlet opening of top substrate 1310, which is near reservoir electrode1318. Fluid reservoir 1330 is configured to receive a volume of dropletfluid 1334, which is to be loaded into droplet actuator 1300. Topsubstrate 1310 also includes one or more vent holes 1338, which isdisposed along electrodes 1322 and near a spacer 1342 that is betweentop substrate 1310 and bottom substrate 1314.

Additionally, the one or more vent holes 1338 are sealed by a seal 1344.In one example, seal 1344 may be a removable seal. In another example,seal 1344 may be a seal that may be punctured, such as a seal that isformed of any rubbery material (e.g., elastomer material) or foilmaterial. In any case, seal 1344 is formed of a material that isresistant to the filler fluid. Furthermore, FIGS. 13A and 13B show avolume of air 1350 that is trapped is in the gap of droplet actuator1300, and at the one or more vent holes 1338.

In operation, prior to loading filler fluid 1326 into droplet actuator1300, the one or more vent holes 1338, which are negative pressureholes, are sealed via seal 1344. With vent holes 1338 sealed, dropletactuator 1300 is then loaded with filler fluid 1326, which causes avolume of air 1350 to be trapped in the gap, against spacer 1342 and atvent holes 1338, as illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B. Air 1350 istrapped under pressure because there is no path for venting air 1350 outof droplet actuator 1300. The volume of air 1350 may be controlled, forexample, by the placement of the one or more vent holes 1338 and/or bythe geometry of spacer 1342. Droplet fluid 1334 is present in fluidreservoir 1330, which is sealed with seal 1347. Thus, the contents ofthe droplet actuator are under pressure. In order to load droplet fluid1334 into droplet actuator 1300, seal 1344 is breached (e.g., removed,broken or punctured) which permits pressurized air 1350 to escapethrough vent holes 1338, which causes droplet fluid 1334 to displacefiller fluid 1326 as it flows into the one or more vent holes 1338. Thisaction pulls a slug of droplet fluid 1334 onto reservoir electrode 1318(not shown).

Additionally, fluid reservoir 1330 has a diameter D, the gap of dropletactuator 1300 has a height h, and vent holes 1338 have a diameter d. Inorder to create the desired pressure differentials along dropletactuator 1300 that best encourage fluid flow from fluid reservoir 1330to vent holes 1338, D>h>d.

Various kinds of pressure sources, positive and/or negative, may be usedto cause dislocation of filler fluid to result in the desireddislocation or movement of droplet fluid, e.g., vacuum pump, syringe,pipette, capillary forces, and/or absorbent materials. For example,negative pressure may be used to dislocate filler fluid and thereby movea droplet fluid from a locus which is exterior to the gap to a locuswhich is inside the gap and/or from one portion of the gap to another.The pressure source may be controlled via active and/or passivemechanisms. Displaced filler fluid may be moved to another locus withinthe gap and/or transported out of the gap. In one embodiment, displacedfiller fluid flows out of the gap, while a droplet fluid flows into thegap and into proximity with a droplet operations electrode.

For examples of fluids that may be subjected to droplet operations usingthe electrode designs and droplet actuator architectures of theinvention, see International Patent Application No. PCT/US 06/47486,entitled, “Droplet-Based Biochemistry,” filed on Dec. 11, 2006. In someembodiments, the fluid includes a biological sample, such as wholeblood, lymphatic fluid, serum, plasma, sweat, tear, saliva, sputum,cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, seminal fluid, vaginal excretion,serous fluid, synovial fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid,pleural fluid, transudates, exudates, cystic fluid, bile, urine, gastricfluid, intestinal fluid, fecal samples, fluidized tissues, fluidizedorganisms, biological swabs and biological washes. In other embodiments,the fluid may be a reagent, such as water, deionized water, salinesolutions, acidic solutions, basic solutions, detergent solutions and/orbuffers. In still other embodiments, the fluid includes a reagent, suchas a reagent for a biochemical protocol, such as a nucleic acidamplification protocol, an affinity-based assay protocol, a sequencingprotocol, and/or a protocol for analyses of biological fluids.

The foregoing detailed description of embodiments refers to theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of theinvention. Other embodiments having different structures and operationsdo not depart from the scope of the present invention. Thisspecification is divided into sections for the convenience of the readeronly. Headings should not be construed as limiting of the scope of theinvention. The definitions are intended as a part of the description ofthe invention. It will be understood that various details of the presentinvention may be changed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose ofillustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation, as the presentinvention is defined by the claims as set forth hereinafter.

We claim:
 1. A method of loading a droplet actuator, the method comprising: (a) providing: (i) a droplet actuator loaded with a filler fluid; (ii) a reservoir comprising a droplet fluid; and (iii) a fluid path extending from the reservoir into the droplet actuator; and (b) forcing filler fluid: (i) from one locus in the droplet actuator to another locus in the droplet actuator; or (ii) out of the droplet actuator; thereby causing droplet fluid to flow through the fluid path and into the droplet actuator.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises forcing droplet fluid into sufficient proximity with one or more electrodes to enable one or more droplet operations to be mediated in the droplet actuator by the one or more electrodes.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises forcing the filler fluid using a negative pressure source.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises forcing the filler fluid using a positive pressure source.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein multiple droplet fluids are loaded from multiple reservoirs.
 6. The method of claim 2 wherein the droplet operation comprises a droplet dispensing operation in which a droplet is dispensed from the droplet fluid. 